Can a Local Title Company Add a Person to the Home Deed?

by Bob Haring

You want to put someone else on the title to your house. Maybe it's to add a spouse or give a child an interest in the house for estate purposes. It's pretty easy in most states, but involves filling out forms, getting signatures notarized and filing documents with some recording office. You might do this yourself, but using a title company will prevent any mistakes that could cause problems later.

Know Where to File

Title companies handle details of real estate transactions, such as providing title insurance, researching property ownership records and filing or recording deeds. The entity where you file paperwork to add a name to a deed varies by state, but usually is in the office of a county official such as a county clerk, recorder or registrar. A local title company can direct you where to file.

Get Consents

You need written consent of the lender if the home is mortgaged. You also need the consent of any other individuals already on the deed. You'll have to have permissions signed and notarized to file with the deed. A title company can locate these parties, get the consents signed and signatures notarized and file the documents with the title change. Title company experts will explain all the documents that must be signed and filed to change names on the deed.

Sign Forms

You'll have to sign a form requesting an addition to the deed. It also must be signed by the party whose name you're adding. You can get this form from a lawyer or a title company; in some states, the recording office provides a form for you to sign and have notarized. A title company will handle these chores, have the deed recorded and return the original to you.

Warranty or Quitclaim Deed

A title company can handle additions to either a warranty deed or a quitclaim deed. A warranty deed establishes full ownership to property, subject to any mortgages or other restrictions. A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the seller has in a property and is frequently used for properties with owner financing.

About the Author

Bob Haring has been a news writer and editor for more than 50 years, mostly with the Associated Press and then as executive editor of the Tulsa, Okla. "World." Since retiring he has written freelance stories and a weekly computer security column. Haring holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri.